Tallinn - Annual inflation in the Baltic nation of Estonia eased to 11 per cent in August, down from 11.1 per cent in July, the national office of statistics said on Friday.

Higher oil prices and spiraling wages and prices in the once booming economy pushed inflation to double-digits, postponing the government's plan to join the common European currency, the euro.

Prices for food, motor fuel, transport, alcohol and tobacco impacted annual inflation, Statistics Estonia said.

The annual price increase of food and transport accounted for a half, housing for a sixth, and the increase in excise duties on alcohol and tobacco accounted for nearly an eighth of the total percentage change, it said in its press release.

The Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have been struggling to hold down inflation after several years of robust economic growth. (dpa)